www.visitcalhouncounty.com
Regardless of what your vacation checklist consists of, we have invigorating outdoors, amazing cultural sights, mouth-watering food and Southern hospitality all wrapped into one amazing destination. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing overnight getaway or for a one of a kind adventure, Calhoun County is the natural attraction.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Weaver is a very good example of small town life at its best. The City
of Weaver is a growing community, with The Chief Ladiga Trail running through
the city alongside Elwell Park and on throughout the county, north, towards
Jacksonville.

There is an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, an annual Christmas Parade in
December, and the annual Weaver Station Heritage Day Celebration held in the
Fall.

Come to Weaver and see for yourself that there is a jewel lying at the
foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and you too will fall in love with the
little town that’s a big city at heart. For more information, visit www.weaver-alabama.org.

The Chief Ladiga Trail

The Chief Ladiga Trail currently runs 32.5 miles from the Alabama/Georgia line into the City of Weaver. As Alabama’s first Rails to Trails project, this paved recreational trail follows the former Seaboard/CSX Railroad and connects to Georgia’s 63 mile Silver Comet Trail, making Ladiga part of the longest paved rail trail in the U.S. This recreational opportunity can be enjoyed by walkers, bikers, skaters, strollers and more. Beautiful sights like area forests, farmlands, streams and mountains provide picturesque scenery for each and every visit. For more information, visit www.chiefladigatrail.com.

Weaver Skate Park

With modular ramps and lighting, this skate park is perfect for all
ages and experience levels.

Weaver BMX Track

500 Anniston Street, Weaver

This public track hosts races throughout the year and welcomes all ages
and experience levels to come enjoy this facility with jumps and turns! For
more information, visit www.weaverbmx.com.

Classic at Buckhorn

Located just off the Alexandria/Jacksonville Highway, this casual dining venue brings everything from traditional American burgers to southern seafood to the table. With events scheduled regularly, it's a great spot for the whole family or even great for a dinner for two.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Yes, there are fewer than 1,000 people in this small historic town, but its name is larger than life. Hobson City, located adjacent to Oxford, was incorporated in 1899 by a small neighborhood of black citizens when the new mayor of Oxford gerrymandered the residents' homes out of the larger city. The displaced citizens refused to leave the area and simply created a city of their own.

Originally known as the Mooree Quarters section of Oxford, the town was named after Richmond P. Hobson, a white naval hero and member of Congress, and in July 1899, Hobson City became the second municipality in the South controlled and governed entirely by African Americans.

At that time, the town had a population of 135. In 1905, Professor C.E. Hanna organized the first school.

Hobson City is a town of history and heritage, celebrating their Founders Day annually each August.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Ohatchee is located in the northwest corner of Calhoun County and is
positioned on the Coosa River. The 2000 census showed that the town had a
population of 1,215. It is located along Highway 77, a thoroughfare connecting
Talladega, Lincoln, and I-20 to the south with Gadsden and I-59 to the north.

Several historic sites are located in the vicinity of Ohatchee including the
site of the former Fort

Strother at which Gen. Andrew Jackson was headquartered
during part of the Creek Indian Wars in the early 1800's and Janney Furnace,
which was a pig iron furnace built during the Civil War.

Today, there is also a granite memorial off 144, marking the battlefield of the Battle of Tallaseehatchee, a battle during the Creek War in 1813. There is also a marker, recapping the story of Lincoyer, General Andrew Jackson's adopted son. The story says, after the Battle of Tallaseehatchee, Gen. Jackson found a dead creek Indian woman embracing her infant son. Jackson, for fear of the child being killed, became his protector, nursed him to health, and took him to his family home, The Hermitage. There, Jackson's wife Rachel, named the child Lincoyer, adopted him, raised him and educated him as their own.

Neely Henry Lake

Ohatchee is also home to Neely Henry Lake, 11,000 acres perfect for
skiing, boating and fishing along Hwy 77 North. This area has public boat
launches, picnic areas and fishing piers perfect for the whole family.

Janney Iron Furnace

145 Janney Road, Ohatchee, 256-892-5198

This Civil War Era Furnace was constructed in 1863 using 200 slaves as
labor, but was burned by Union troops destroying the shacks that were built for
work and damaging parts of the brick chimneys. Even though it never went into
production, the stone furnace remains standing today. Each spring, they host
the Battle of Ten Islands Reenactment. Their Confederate and Native American
Museum is now open to the public 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Tuesday through Friday and
12 to 5 P.M. on Saturdays. For more information, visit www.janneyfurnace.org.

*Near Ohatchee:

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Silver Lakes

1 Sunbelt Pkwy, Glencoe

This 36 hole course sonsists of three 9 hole championship courses and a
9 hole par 3 short course. These renowned courses are located along 431 between
Gadsden and Anniston. For more information, visit www.rtjgolf.com.

Wright’s Dairy

241 Cane Creek Farm Road, Alexandria, 256-820-1020

Alabama’s only dairy farm where the cows are milked and the milk is
bottled and sold on the farm, serves up ice cream and hayrides. For more
information, visit www.wrightdairy.com.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

About the time the Creek Indians were departing
from this area in 1832-1833, Sylvanus Simmons and Dudley Snow homesteaded lands
in the newly created BentonCounty. The settlement
was called “Lickskillet”. The state legislature first incorporated the town
with the name Oxford
in 1852. By 1860 Oxford was linked to the outer
world via the Alabama
and Tennessee Rivers Railroad. Oxford
became active as cotton and trading center on the eve of the Civil War. The
presence of charcoal iron furnace attracted federal troops to the area in 1865
when they destroyed the furnace and much of the town. Despite the setbacks of
the war, Oxford
rebuilt, grew and prospered.

Oxford is known as one of Calhoun County's fastest growing residential
and commercial cities. It stretches across the county line into neighboring
Talladega County. This unique location allows Oxford to have excellent access
to the resources in both counties.

Oxford officials have adopted a progressive attitude, implementing a
number of city improvements to meet the demands of a growing population,
including the construction of a new City Hall and public library. The
investment in Oxford's facilities and amenities is part of an ongoing effort to
be recognized as "The Crossroads and Retail Capital of Calhoun
County," as well as a safe and comfortable place to raise a family. Sites
include the Oxford Civic Center and sport complex at Oxford Lake and the new
10.4 million dollar Oxford Performing Arts Center, housing a 1,130 seat
auditorium. For more information, visit www.oxfordalabama.org.

Oxford Performing Arts Center

100 Choccolocco Street, Oxford, 256-241-3322

This performance and concert venue accommodates 1,130 seats in the
middle of historic downtown Oxford. With additions to the former historic
school and city hall facility, this venue now houses state-of-the-art lighting
and sound, an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, and a proscenium stage with large
wing space and storage. This venue is available for rental and hosts many
performance and concerts throughout the year. For more information, visit www.oxforpac.org.

Oxford Lake and Civic Center – Coldwater Covered Bridge

401 McCullars Lane, Oxford, 256-831-2660

Stretch your legs on this paved and gravel track around the lake or
spread out a picnic for the whole family, while the kids play on the adventure
park playground. This area also houses tennis courts, a swimming pool, baseball
complex, indoor basketball courts, a newly renovated and expanded civic center
space and more. It is also home to one of Alabama’s oldest remaining covered
bridges, moved from Coldwater Creek to Oxford Lake and listed on the National
Register of Historic Places.

Cider Ridge Golf Course

200 Apple Blossom Way, Oxford, 256-831-7222

This 18 hole par 72 course is quite mountainous and challenging with is
terrain. The breathtaking views and scenery provide a beautiful backdrop to
each round. For more information, visit www.ciderridgegolf.com.

Quintard Mall

700 Quintard Drive, Oxford, 256-831-4180

This shopping center offers a great selection of department and
specialty stores, with a full food court and movie theater. For more
information, visit www.shopquintardmall.com.